Here on Stolen Lives, we discuss brutal and heartbreaking crimes against children.

Themes may include child murder, torture, and sexual domestic and child abuse.

I do try my best to remain respectful for the babies in these stories, and leave out unnecessary

details that honestly, none of us need to know to understand the frustration of why and how

this ever happened.

However, if you find any of these themes triggering this podcast may not be for you.

Listener, discretion is advised.

This week's story is a listener's suggestion.

Thank you to Barb for bringing Hemmy's story to my attention.

Stating the obvious here, but I've lived in Australia all of my life,

and I've actually never heard of Hemmy's story.

His story didn't get the nationwide attention others of child abuse and to murder receive.

Maybe there was a bit

of victim blaming here that may have caused that. But I just see two parents did all they could

for their children, and they reacted in a situation the only way they could to get things done.

Please be kind in the comments. March 2015, Maramba, Queensland, Australia. Two parents needed to travel almost a day away

for a specialist appointment, with no family nearby, to mind their two toddlers overnight,

entrusting a long-term family friend with their care. Hemmy and his sister should have been safe.

However, early hours after speaking to the babysitter,

the parents would receive a panicked text message

that would devastate their lives forever.

This is Hemmy's story.

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